. >>> the gop is embracing gay marriage, immigration and defense cuts. with republicans like these, who needs democrats? it's thursday, march 21st and this is "now." >>> joining me today, rick hertzberg of the "new yorker," former dnc communications director and msnbc political analyst, karen finney, editor of the "new york times" book review, sam tanninhouse and executive editor at msnbc.com richard wolfe, next week the supreme court is taking up two major cases on marriage equality. the constitutionality-the-defense of marriage act and california's prop 8, which prevents same-sex couples from marrying. in recent history, this has been an issue that breaks along party lines. in recent days, the view on the right has become increasingly hazy. as a reminder, this was the official republican position at their convention last summer. we reaffirm our support for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. but leading figures in the gop appear to be coming around to the idea of marriage equality. some like rob portman h